Presentation of some tips to help you overcome your shyness as you conduct your job search.
Orange Earth
How to Silence Shyness in Your Job Search
Are you shy?Do you feel awkward in social settings that involve
people you dont know, or perhaps even people you do? If so, then a
job searchis probably not your favorite project, requiring as it
doesnetworking, cold-calling, follow up with strangers andtelephone
or in-person interviewswhere youre required to talk about TA DA!
you!
A job search can be stressful for just about anyone. For someone
shy or uncomfortable when engaging in social interaction, a job
searchcan be a daunting experience. It doesnt need to be however.
While its unlikely that youll ever become the life of the party,
there are certainly some things you can do to minimize the effects
of your shyness while attempting to change your employment
status.
Wait, you say, this shouldnt be an issue. Ill beinterviewingwith
one person, maybe a few at most, and itll be quiet and Ill have the
opportunity to just chill and let them know what Im all about. Um,
yeah, no, not so much. Not as a general rule, anyway.
Remember that the he/she/them interviewing you are doing so
because they have a problem (maybe a BIG problem) that they need to
solve as quickly as possible, which means finding the right person
for the job ASAP so they can return to their daily mission-critical
tasks.
Given this scenario, youll have a very small window in which you
can demonstrate how outstanding you are. You want to stand out
based on merit, not stand apart by being so shy that youre
perceived to lack confidence, competence or worse (e.g., being
completely socially inept, which is doom).
things to consider as you conduct yourjob search:What are your
boundaries? People are constantly referring to the notion of
stretching the envelope or getting out of a comfort zone. In
general, we know what that means. But do you know what it means in
relation to youspecifically?
Work your network. Reconnect to those with whom youve fallen out
of touch. Strengthen ties with those in your existing circle of
contacts. Link in toLinkedInand look at each of your contacts with
a new perspective, one by which you attempt to identify what value
you can add to their relationship with you rather than the other
way around. And then provide that value.
What are you sorry for?Dont apologize when you ask for help or
information during your job search. Youre building a relationship
by demonstrating that you consider the other person important.
Because its important to you. Youre not imposing.
Be biographer, not autobiographer.Of course, we always recommend
that youhave your resume professionally written. Professional
resume writers bring not just expertise, but an objective
perspective to the development of your resume. This is important,
since people who are shy will often have trouble recognizing and
writing about their career achievements and strengths.
Pick me, pick me! One job search tool often overlooked is
volunteerism. Most volunteer activities provide ample opportunity
to engage with others (especially strangers) in a comfortable,
productive setting. Youll expand your network, hone your
communication skills and gain confidence while working with others
towards a common goal. Communication is much more comfortable when
its about making a contribution.
www.distinctiveweb.comMichelle Dumas runs of one of the
longest-standing and most respectedprofessional rsum writingfirms
on the internet, Distinctive Career Services, LLC (dba Distinctive
Documents). Since 1996, Michelle has empowered thousands of
professionals with rsums that get results and win jobs fast. Get
insider rsum writing tips that you won't find anywhere else at her
website. Go now towww.distinctiveweb.comThe Internets Rsum &
Career Marketing SpecialistsSince 1996www.distinctiveweb.com
[email protected] (800) 644-9694Copyright 2014 Distinctive
Career Services, LLC
